5 alternative Rome sights to see

Rome has many sights and monuments to offer. I already covered the most important sights in Rome, but there are 5 lesser known sights in Rome that are definitely worth visiting and that I have summarized on this page for you. Enjoy reading!

5 lesser known sights in Rome – My recommendations

1. Palatine Hill in Rome

The Palatine Hill is one of the Seven Hills in Rome and is regarded as the birthplace of the city. Romulus who was the founder of Rome according to Roman tradition is said to have lived in an impoverished cottage among the many palaces and temples that stood here in ancient times.

Remains of these palaces, some built for emperors like Augustus and Nero, are still visible today. The remains of Domitian’s oversized palace are in particular impressive. From the observation deck on the Palatine Hill in Rome you have a stunning view of the Forum Romanum against the backdrop of the city’s skyline.

How to get to the Palatine Hill in Rome

The Palatine Hill in Rome is accessible from the metro station “Colosseo” on line B and from the tramway station “Colosseo” on line 3.

Entry to the Palatine Hill in Rome

Entry fee to the Palatine Hill is 12 euro for adults and 7,50 euro if you’re between 18 and 25 years old. Children under 18 have free entry. The admission ticket also includes free entry to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.

Opening hours Palatine Hill in Rome

The Palatine Hill is open most of the year. Last entry is always one hour before closing.

Last Sunday in October to February 15: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

February 16 to March 15: 8:30 am to 5 pm

March 16 until the last Saturday in March: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm

Last Sunday in March to August 31st: 8:30 am to 7:15 pm

September 1st to September 30: 8:30 am to 7 pm

October 1st until the last Saturday in October: 8:30 am to 6:30 pm

The Palatine Hill is only closed on December 25 and January 1st.

2. Square Piazza Navona in Rome

The Piazza Navona is a large open space in Rome. It is characteristic of the Baroque style but already existed in antiquity. Caesar had it laid out as a stadium for the Greek games before the emperor Domitian turned it into a large complex.

The stadium offered space for 30000 people and measured 106 m in width and 275 m in length. The spectators stands do no longer exist, however the runway is still in good condition. The Piazza Navona forms an ellipse in the middle of Rome.

The Fountain of the Four Rivers and the Sant’Agnese in Agone church are among the Roman sights to explore.

How to get to the Piazza Navona in Rome

It’s best to reach the Piazza Navona by foot. Alternatively, you can take the tramway to the station “Argentina” on line 8.

3. The Imperial Fora in Rome

With the growing size of Rome, the Forum Romanum soon became too small in antiquity. As a result, many emperors created new forums which are now grouped under the name Imperial Fora.

Among the emperors who extended the Roman Forum were Caesar, Augustus, Vespasian and Trajan. The latter constructed the most impressive of the new forums. In the late 20s Mussolini had laid out the Via dei Fori Imperiali across the ancient excavation sites of the Imperial Fora.

Today efforts are being made to transform Mussolini’s boulevard into a pedestrian area.

How to get to the Imperial Fora in Rome

The Imperial Fora are close to “Colosseo” on metro line B and “Venezia” on tramway line 8.

Entry to the Imperial Fora in Rome

The Trajan Forum in Rome can be visited when all other imperial forums are closed. Entry fee is 14 euro which includes entry to the Museum of the Imperial Fora. But to be honest, there’s not much more to see inside the forum than from the exterior.

4. The Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome

The Lateran Basilica in Rome is one of four papal basilicas in Rome. Its full title is “Archbasilica of the Most Holy Saviour and of St. John Baptist and John Evangelist in the Lateran”.

The Lateran Basilica is the cathedral of Rome because it is the seat of the Roman bishop and therefore of the Pope. The basilica has a mix of the Middles Ages, the Baroque style, and classicism. The doors of the cathedral originate from the Forum Romanum.

Inside the church you should pay attention to the baldachin, the mosaic on the ground and the frescos made by Giotto.

How to get to the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome

The Lateran Basilica in Rome is accessible from the metro station “San Giovanni” on line A.

Entry to the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome

Entry to the Lateran Basilica in Rome is free of charge. You can visit the quiet courtyard for 3 euro. An audio guide is available for a donation to the Red Cross.

Opening hours Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome

The Lateran Basilica is open everyday from 7 am to 6:30 pm and the courtyard from 9 am to 6 pm.

5. The Baths of Caracalla in Rome

The Baths of Caracalla were built under the emperor Caracalla and are one of the most beautiful remains of Roman antiquity. They were inaugurated in 216 AD and in service until the 5th century. In the 3rd century there were baths, gardens, libraries and boutiques.

About 6000-8000 people came here everyday. The water lines were maintained by hundreds of slaves and were more than 9 km long. The present-day ruins only show the main part of the baths, the rest has been destroyed over the centuries.

How to get to the Baths of Caracalla in Rome

You can reach the Baths of Caracalla by metro on line B (“Circo Massimo”) and by tramway on line 3 (“Circo Massimo”).

Entry to the Baths of Caracalla in Rome

The entry fee to the Baths of Caracalla is 7 euro (4 euro for adolescents under 18) which also includes entry to the Tomb of Caecilia Metella and the Villa of the Quintili.

Opening hours Baths of Caracalla in Rome

The Baths of Caracalla are open Monday from 9 am to 2 pm, and Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to one hour before sunset.